What are the Side Effects of Delta-8 Products?
5 min readDelta-8 has been in the news for the past few years. The sudden overwhelming response from the crowd for this new marijuana derivative raises many questions. What is Delta-8? Is it healthy to consume? Is it beneficial? Or is it harmful to us? To answer such questions, we need to know about this mystery component of the cannabis plant.
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as Delta-8 THC, is one of the components derived from the plants of the cannabis family. The chemical structure and the composition are mostly the same as its sister element Delta-9 THC. The features of this component of marijuana are also the same as the latter, both of them are psychoactive stimulants that give the sensation to people of getting “high”. Although, Delta-8 is indeed mildly less powerful than Delta-9.
The Cannabis plant has many major components, including Delta-8, but the concentration of the substance is significantly low. That is the reason it is generally extracted from hemp plants, a cousin of marijuana. It can also be synthesized from CBD flowers, making it more profitable for the manufacturers.
As any of the THC elements causes psychoactive stimulation to the consumers, Delta-8 is no stranger to these effects. It is mildly less effective but can result in certain complications like nausea, drowsiness, mental instability, and even substance abuse. The increasing popularity surely opens the field of research for the medical sciences, but it is still not approved by any recognized regulatory institutions. But because of the popularity of such substances, they are widely manufactured by companies, sometimes through deceiving marketing schemes.
Due to the similarity between Delta-8 and Delta-9, it is often considered a concerning substance by researchers, and sometimes the side effects exceed the benefits.
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Side Effects of Delta-8 Products
In recent years, the growing demand for Delta-8 has inspired the manufacturers to address the scenario and capitalize accordingly. There are many products available in different forms like vape, tincture, gummies, flowers, and many other delivery methods. The competition of this product in the market is also relevant as there are many brands in the business trying to take advantage of the popularity. Some brands claim to have the best quality of Delta-8 extracted from the best hemp plants to make the product powerful, and some others can be of low quality and less powerful.
To think of it, Delta-8 does have some beneficial effects, such as relieving pain, anxiety, and nausea. And this is the reason manufacturers often infuse this component with other cannabis derivatives in their products to make them more effective. However, such activity can increase the risk of many complications to the quality of the product, and as it is not widely been studied, it can have adverse effects on its users.
Dry Mouth
The most common side effect of any THC products, including Delta-8, is dryness of the mouth or cottonmouth. Some users may feel being scorched until the molecules are present in the body. It most commonly happens when it is inhaled through vapes or joints. This effect makes the consumer drink more water and is often misunderstood as being dehydrated when commonly this is not the case. It is generally the result of enzymes impacting the salivary glands in your mouth, which prevents saliva creation.
Dry Eyes
The same effects can be traced in the eyes of the consumers too. The users of Delta-8 may often experience dryness of their eyes. It often results in redness of the eyes and can be discomforting. But this effect also only lasts as long as the molecules are present in the body.
Anxiety
Indeed, Delta-8 is widely consumed because of its benefits that include relieving anxiety. However, it is observed that taking large amounts of it may induce anxiety and uneasiness. We know that using more than enough quantity of anything can harm us, it goes same with this product.
Some parts of the world have legalized the use of Delta-8 and designated a uniform amount of ingesting them, but if someone takes it too far, he may face opposite consequences. So, it is widely advised to regulate your dosages accordingly to avoid certain adverse effects.
Psychoactive Abnormalities
As this product creates psychoactive stimulation in the body, consumers may experience a ‘Trance state’. Getting ‘high’ is commonly referred to as this condition, and mostly it has been used for the same. But sometimes, it may take unsafe turns where you may lose your focus and ability to perform even your common tasks. This can result from the THC contents present in it, which blocks certain neurotransmitters that help us focus and think.
Substance Abuse
As this product is similar to its counterpart, Delta-9 THC, there is a very thin line between using it for medical purposes and getting addicted to it. Due to the intoxicating properties of the substance, people often feel that they can’t get enough of it. This may lead to moderate to severe substance abuse. The concern for addiction is a real issue in society, and it has been faced due to other substances. Creating another option may certainly harm the progress of fighting substance abuse in every part of the World.
Is it Legal?
Certainly, there’s no regulatory body that regulates the use of Delta-8 THC. Even the FDA hasn’t approved any products containing Delta-8. In addition, some countries and states have banned the use of the product when analyzing its dangerous effects on society. At the same time, some parts of the world legalize the businesses of cannabis products, including which contains Delta-8 products.
Conclusion
Before using any kind of product, we should always have an ample amount of knowledge about it. We know this type of product surely has helped the world in the field of medical sciences. But inconsistent and improper use of it may induce severe side effects in your body. Therefore, it is advised to always consult before using such products and use them under defined regulations.